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__**Concerning Halflings**__ When one thinks of fantasy, they imagine elves in enchanted woods, dwarves in mountain mines, ancient wizards casting spells in towers tall above the clouds, and humans adventuring across uncharted, dangerous wilderness, facing peril and meeting peoples no one has before. Hardly anyone would think of the diminutive humanoids known as halflings, or more commonly, hobbits. Yet these small folk have an interesting and unique culture, and despite their size, many abilities to aid them. Their history is as mysterious as the elves, as ingenious as the dwarves’ and more memorable than the human’s. As it has been said before: There is a lot more to halflings then you, or even they, could ever guess(Tolkien19).

__Physical Appearance __ Halflings are small, reaching heights of three and a half feet to little over four feet. In proportion with their height, they weigh between 70 to 90 lbs. They look much like their bigger cousins, the humans, and typically have the same proportions, with the exception of larger hands and feet, and hair growing on the ankles and tops of their feet. They most commonly have dark eyes and hair, with blonde hair and blue eyes being exceptionally rare(Heinsoo, Collins and Wyatt). Like elves, they are incapable of growing true beards, but many seem to favour long, thick sideburns. Much like humans, they have the same skin tone range(Heinsoo, Collins and Wyatt), although it is more often rosy or ruddy coloured(Tweet, Cook and Williams). Halflings prefer comfortable clothing(Tweet, Cook and Williams), as opposed to the fancy and uncomfortable garments they are fond of. They are weaker then most other races, and cannot wield larger weapons, like two-handed sword, axes, staves or pole-arms(Heinsoo, Collins and Wyatt). However, they have an uncannily strong good luck streak, infravison or heat-seeing sight, and to make up for their lack of strength, they are quick, courageous, and often ambidextrous.



__Culture __ Another way their lack of strength is made up for is through their close-knit culture and styles of living. Instead of kings, queens or other formal titles to rule them, they rely on their family elders for guidance. The positions they consider powerful, such as education or feast preparation, are given to the elders. Hobbits have a self-run policing system, in which everyone does his or her best to continue the day-to-day functions of their town(Radovich). While they do not have a military or army like most other races, in times of danger they will form a militia consisting mostly of those with past-combat or adventuring experience, or join under the protection of a neighbouring town with such defenses(Radovich). Halflings are not very cautious of strangers, though they will not accept strange food from a sketchy source or fall into obvious or less-than-obvious traps, and will treat any other halfling they meet as a friend, unless they are proven otherwise(Radovich). Amongst themselves, halflings are also known as “hin”. The halfling style of living is simple, with a mate, children and a full table, and an honest trade or patch of land to live upon. They are fond of stories and food, being especially good at cooking the latter, and have many tales and recipes long forgotten or unknown by other races.

__History __ Despite their long memory for stories and the like, the halflings’ origins are largely unknown. It is believed they came from a valley beyond mountains(Tolkien, "The Simarillion"), and were of three distinct “breeds”. For reasons unknown, they ventured away from their homeland and went on a long journey, crossing mountains, were they settled in the land after(Tolkien). It is believed, that after their journey, the lines between the unique breeds of hobbit began to blur. Eventually, hobbits moved from these lands. After receiving permission from the king of a region, they crossed the river separating their lands from the kingdom, and settled there. When this kingdom was destroyed, they elected a “Thain” from their own, and continued living where they were(Tolkien). These hobbits claim they had sent an unspecified number of archers to help, but this was never recorded(Tolkien). Sometime after the kingdom’s fall, halfling families moved from this region and into others, such as Buckland and the Brandybuck clan(Tolkien). Halfling numbers have diminished over time, but they are still a populous race.

The next time you think of fantasy worlds where dragons rule the skies and are battled by brave and noble adventurers, and elves are fair, graceful, good and wise beyond measure, perhaps you’ll remember the delightful little people of the halflings. From happy towns, to dark, distant mountains, from the meadows of the elves, to the perilous underworld, halflings are a useful addition to any band of travelers.



__Works Cited__ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). //Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition//, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.

Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook , Skip Williams (August 2000). // Player’s Handbook 3rd edition //, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1551-4.

LordMishkin. An Ent and a Hobbit. 2008. Painting. DeviantARTWeb. 15 Jan 2012.  Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins , James Wyatt (June 2008). // Player’s Handbook 4th edition //, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-4867-1.

Radovich, Goran. "Races: Halflings." //Returner Games//. N.p., n.d. Web.11 Jan 2012. [].

Sasha Arsenic. Hobbit. 2005. drawing. DeviantARTWeb. 15 Jan 2012.

Todd Lockwood. //Halflings//. 2001. Painting. toddlockwood.comWeb. 15 Jan 2012.

Tolkien, J.R.R. //The Hobbit//.New York: Ballantine Books, 1965. 19. Print.

Tolkien: //The Fellowship of the Ring//, Concerning Hobbits. Tolkien, J.R.R. //The Simarillion//. New York: Ballantine Books, 1979.


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